ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE SCUTTLED

Southland Times, Issue 24003, 19 December 1939, Page 5

ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE SCUTTLED

VESSEL DESTROYED BY CREW OFF URUGUAYAN COAST 500,000 PERSONS CROWD VANTAGE POINTS ON HARBOUR FRONT (United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 18, 6.30 p.m.) MONTEVIDEO, December 17. One hundred and one minutes before the expiration of the Uruguayan internment deadline, the Admiral Graf Spee steamed down the River Plate estuary and, when five miles off shore, was scuttled in view of 500,000 persons crowding vantage points on the harbour front. The first indication came from two terrific explosions, apparently originating in the ammunition stores. The Admiral Graf Spee burned for 80 minutes, explosions continuing until 9.15 p.m., when a heavier explosion sent coloured rockets and flame-balls high into the air. Like a dying candle the ship burst into a last bright flame and was then extinguished. Oil floating on the water continued burning for some time afterwards. The German Embassy issued a statement by the Captain of the Admiral Graf Spee, Captain Hans Langsdorff, written before the ship sailed, protesting against Uruguay’s refusal “to give time to place the ship in a proper navigable condition.” “In the circumstances there is nothing for me to do but to sink the ship by blowing her up near the coast, and disembarking as many of the crew as possible,” he stated. Before the Admiral Graf Spee sailed representatives of the American republics assured the Uruguayan Foreign Minister (Senor Alberto Guard) of full support for Uruguay’s actions. The position where the Admiral Graf Spee sank is given as 34.56 south and 56.14 west.